Hundreds lined the streets Sunday to watch in silence as Gene Kirchner made his final visit to the fire company he'd been a part of since he was 16 years old. Some in the crowd knew the 25-year-old well.

"He was not only our friend, he was a hero. So, he died a hero," friend Jessica Singley said.

"He was just an awesome man, and I loved him so much. He was so much fun," another friend said.

Others who assembled outside the Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Company didn't know him at all.

"I felt, as a member of the community, I couldn't not be here today to support him and his family and his other family at the firehouse," said resident Herb Weiss, who wanted to pay his respects.

The procession continued to Har Sinai Congregation in Owings Mills for the service, during which Kirchner was awarded the departmental Medal of Honor for his bravery.

Kirchner was trying to save a man from a house fire on Hanover Road on April 24 when he became trapped and fell unconscious. After eight days at Shock Trauma, the 25-year-old succumbed to his injuries. Kirchner's sister, Shelly Brezicki, said he fought hard.

"He gave us time to come together, and even in his last few days, Gene was still teaching us. He taught us to forgive, to trust and to accept," Brezicki said.

Firefighters wearing black bands and solemn stares loaded Kirchner's casket onto a fire truck. He was buried at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens in a special section reserved for fallen heroes.

Those who knew him said he was selfless and humble and would have likely shied away from all the praise.

"I know that if Gene were here today, he would want the spotlight off him and shining on his brothers and sisters of the Reisterstown Volunteer Fire Company," Brezicki said.

Kirchner was a seven-year veteran of the fire company. He also spent two years as a junior firefighter.

After the funeral, many people stopped by a makeshift memorial at the fire company to continue paying their respects.